Chief: Robert Reid
James J. Howard Laboratory
(732) 872-3020
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The Coastal Ecology Branch conducts field and laboratory studies on life habits
and ecological requirements of economically important marine fishes and
invertebrates to determine how they are affected by both natural processes and
anthropogenic activities in the marine coastal environment. The Branch conducts
research on reproductive biology and early life history of fishes to identify
the physical and biological factors that control production and recruitment
processes, using selected species as model systems. The Branch also conducts
research on the status of living marine resource populations, determining the
relative functional value of specific habitats and how habitat loss and
degradation, as well as mitigation or restoration of these alterations,
affects productivity and diversity.
Current research includes determining effects of mobile fishing gears
on habitat, and refining designations of essential fish habitat. The
Branch leads the Environmental Processes Division's efforts to provide
needed information to users such as the NMFS Northeast Regional Office
and fishery management councils and commissions.
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